Versatile structural unit



May 30, 1961 Filed Feb. 23, 1960 C. G. BJORNCRANTZ VERSATILE STRUCTURAL UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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VERSATILE STRUCTURAL UNIT May 30, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A Ho rneys Filed. Feb. 23, 1960 a f a 7 a M a n 5 0 9 9 7. a & 9 7 2 h 1 2 2 I a I! May 30, 1961 Filed Feb. 25, 1960 c. G. BJORNCRANTZ 2,986,283

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United States Patent VERSATILE STRUCTURAL UNIT Carl G. Bjorncrantz, .Evanston, Ill., asslgnor to Sears, loehuck and Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New Filed Feb. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 10,503

6 Claims. (Cl. 211-134) This invention relates to versatile structural units.

, One of the objects of my invention is the pro-vision of a versatile structural unit which is of such character that it may be readily assembled with a plurality of like units to form various types of structures, such as lamps, tables, planters, room dividers and combinations of the same.

- Another object of my invention is the provision of a structure formed ,of a plurality of like units of the foregoing character.

' A further object of my invention is the provision of an article of the foregoing character which is of simple and inexpensive construction and of durable and attractive design.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l'is a perspective view of a pair of components shown in assembled relation to form a basic self supporting structural unit;

. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, there being illustrated, in broken lines, the manner in which a square or round lamp shade may be supported thereon;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a component of the structural unit;

. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a ferrule used in connection with certain assemblies of components of my invention;'

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a pair of structural units shown assembled in superimposed relation;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are respectively elevational views of different structures which may be formed with the strut, tural units of my invention;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale, of

a base detail;

Fig. 11 is a similar view of another type of base detail;

Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively elevational views of other types of structures which may be formed with structural units of my invention;

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 14-14 of Fig. 13, and

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of structural units shown assembled in combination with telescoping poles in the form of a room divider.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 my invention comprises a pair of components 19, each formed of a pair of leg members which may be round or of any other cross-sectional form to which are welded, in spaced relation, a pair of upper and lower arcuately formed or bowed members 21 and 22 respectively, as will be presently described. The said members are preferably formed from flat metal stock and each includes arcuate portions 23 connected together medially thereof with a substantially semi-circular portion 24- of reverse curvature. Each of the portions 23 has a terminal arcuate portion 26 suitably bonded to a leg 20, as

by welding. It will be observed that the members 21, 22 are welded to the legs 20 and spaced apart a distance A which is equal to the combined distances B and C. (Fig. 3). It is intended that two components 19, as above described, be placed in juxtaposition, as illustrated in clips 27 terminating short of the top edges of the members 21 and '22. Thus, no part projects above the plane of said top edges to interfere with any part of any article which may be carried on said members, as for example, a table panel. In order to effect improved securement of the components 19 the members 21 and 22 may be indented as at 28 to receive the legs of the clips 27.

As illustrated in Fig. 5 two of such units may be arranged in stacked or superimposed relation with the legs" 20 of the upper unit resting directly on top of the legs of the lower unit and with the legs secured in axial alignment by tubular connecting members 29. In such stacked relation, the spacings between members 21 and 22- are equal.

Fig. 6 illustrates a unit with the lowermost leg portions of legs 20 being received in tapered leg supports 31 and with the pairs of members 21 and 22 each supporting a drum type cylindrical lamp shade 32. It will be apparent that the lower shade is required to be placed in position before the units are assembled together.

Fig. 7 illustrates another modification in which a planter box 33 is supported on the lower members 22 and a lamp shade 34 of square cross section is supported on the upper members 21. A pole 36 which may be hollow passes through the circular openings 24 of the members 21 and 22. In order to effect proper alignment of the pole as well as to accommodate a variety of sizes of poles cup-shaped members 37 having slots 37a as illustrated in Fig. 4 are employed, said members being arranged to substantially encompass the circular portions 24 as illustrated in Fig. 14 with the slots in said members affording clearance for the members 21 and 22. Suitable electric lamp sockets, not shown, may be mounted on the pole within the confines of the lamp shade and the interior of the pole may contain wiring leading to the sockets.

Fig. 8 illustrates another modification in which a unit assembly is rested on a pair of elongated supports 31a, such as illustrated in Fig. 11, with a planter box 38 being supported on said supports and a second planter box 39 supported on the members 22. A lamp shade 41 of somewhat different type than illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is supported on the upper members 21 Similarly as in the structure illustrated in Fig. 7, a hollow pole 42 is passed through the circular openings of the members 21 and 22.

Fig. 12 illustrates still another modification wherein three unit assemblies are arranged in stacked relationship with a hollow pole 43 passed through the circular openings formed by the members 21 and 22, there being a planter box 44 supported on the lowermost members 22 and a table panel 46 of any desired configuration supported on the members 21 immediately thereabove. It will be understood that the table panel 46 is provided with suitable apertures to accommodate vertical legs and pole passing therethrough. Another planter box 47 is Patented May 30, 1961- supported on the table panel. suitable configuration are supported on the members 22, in the manner illustrated. Suitable decorative cap elements 50 may be applied to the uppermost portions of the legs 20.

Fig. 13 illustrates another modified embodiment showing two unit assemblies in stacked formation with the lamp shades 51 and the planter boxes 52 in a difierent relationship.

- Fig. 15 shows an arrangement in the nature of a room divider wherein a pair of telescoping poles 53 having upper and lower sections 53a and 53b respectively extend between the floor and ceiling, with planter boxes 55 and 56 of different lengths and types disposed as shown, and with a series of connecting panel elements 54 supported on the structure, some extending the full width thereof.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided an assembly unit which lends itself to ready assembly into a variety of structures having both utilitarian and decorative qualities which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture,

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

- lclaim:

l. A structure of the character described comprising a pair of components, each consisting of a pair of spaced substantially parallel vertical leg members connected together by at least two generally bowed members at longitudinally spaced points, said bowed members lying in substantially parallel planes at right angles to said leg members and each being spaced from corresponding ends of said leg members, said pair of components being arranged in juxtaposition with corresponding bowed members being in engagement with each other, and means for securing said components together to form a selfsustaining structure.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the securing means comprises clip means frictionally engaging said bowed members.

3. A structure comprising at least two unit assemblies with one pair surmounted on the other, each unit assembly comprising a pair of components, each consisting of a Lamp shades 48 of any pair of spaced substantially parallel vertical leg members connected together by at least two generally bowed members at longitudinally spaced points, said bowed members lying in substantially parallel planes at right angles to said members, said components being arranged in juxtaposition with corresponding bowed members being in engagement with each other and means for securing said units together to form a self-sustaining structure, corresponding legs of respective unit assemblies being in axial alignment and means for securing one of said unit assemblies in superimposed position in relation to the other of said unit assemblies.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said securing means comprises a sleeve element receiving corresponding end portions of legs of superimposed unit assemblies.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the intermediate portion of the bowed members are reversely bowed, each substantially in a semi-circle so that said reversely bowed portions define a substantially circular opening.

6. A structure of the character described comprising a pair of components, each consisting of a pair of spaced substantially parallel vertical leg members connected together by at least two generally bowed members at longitudinally spaced points, said bowed members lying in substantially parallel planes at right angles to said leg members and each being spaced from corresponding ends of said leg members, said pair of components being arranged in juxtaposition with corresponding bowed members being in engagement with each other, means for securing said components together to form a self-sustaining structure, and a planter box supported on corresponding bowed members,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,814,342 Smith July 14, 1931 1,890,583 Meehan Dec. 13, 1932 2,474,318 Molla June 28, 1949 2,540,495 Sorenson Feb. 6, 1951 2,738,883 Wineman Mar. 20, 1956 2,812,058 Pink Nov. 5, 1957 2,815,130 Franks Dec. 3, 1957 2,925,921 De Pew Feb. 23, 1960 

